Worker unrest: Industries secy orders wage-arrear checks, grievance panels

Dehradun: Amid worker protests in industrial areas over wage-related issues, industries secretary Vinay Shankar Pandey on Tuesday directed industry associations to set up grievance redressal committees, calculate dearness allowance arrears within 10 days and ensure regular communication with workers to prevent unrest in their establishments.The directions were issued during a meeting at SIDCUL office attended by representatives of industries department, labour department and various industry associations of the state. Pandey discussed cases of worker unrest and told association representatives, “Regular communication with workers must be established at periodic intervals so that incidents of dissatisfaction can be prevented.”Labour commissioner P C Dumka briefed participants on key issues behind worker unrest. The matters discussed included payment of overtime, clarity on minimum wages, better health and safety arrangements, formation of grievance redressal committees and payment of dearness allowance arrears.Pandey directed industry representatives to immediately constitute grievance redressal committees in their establishments in accordance with labour codes. “Grievance redressal committees should be formed immediately so that regular dialogue with workers can be maintained,” he said.Officials also discussed state govt’s announcement of variable dearness allowance for non-engineering units. Establishments were directed to calculate arrears within 10 days and ensure payment to workers after the calculation. “Dearness allowance arrears must be calculated within 10 days and paid to workers,” officials said.Pandey also directed factories to keep ambulance facilities available, while establishments with fewer than 10 workers were told to use 108 emergency service in urgent situations. He further directed that workers be granted weekly leave as per rules.Industry representatives said they were complying with labour laws and would ensure the formation of grievance redressal committees to maintain communication with workers at regular intervals. Pandey said industries were expected to make every possible effort to maintain a harmonious environment in their establishments and ensure compliance with labour laws.